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Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

What do you think of Harriet? I've a few other contenders too.

29 replies

Supersesame · 12/08/2013 14:20

Hi,
This is my first time looking for opinions on baby names so hope I won't be too offended by your opinions!
I generally like girls names that aren't too flower-like or cutesy.
I like names that sound strong and I would hope not to have it in the top 10 (or even 100, if I could). Although I know it is almost impossible to predict which way a name will go.
I like Harriet and it has a family link back a couple of generations.
What would you think of a person called Harriet? Is it trying a bit too hard?
Its in the new CSO list at rank 67, maybe a little too popular?!
Other names I fancied while checking over that CSO list today are:
ZOE
GABRIELLA
NINA
LUCIA
MELISSA
CONSTANCE
TAMARA
MINA
LARISSA

Think Harriet is my favourite though. Its probably going to be a christmas baby, so any festive suggestions also welcome!

OP posts:
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RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 12/08/2013 15:58

Love Harriet - wanted it for dd2 but dp didn't like it.
Love Melissa.
Like Constance.
Don't like the others much, sorry.

elQuintoConyo · 12/08/2013 16:08

Love Harriet. The only one I've ever known was delighful and was always Harriet, never Harry/Hattie etc.

Henrietta?
Constance is my aunt's name and I've always adored it.
Karenza? I think that might be a foreign equivalent of Constance, although I could well be talking bolleaux.
I like Begonia - thinking of Poinsettas at Christmas, my mind jumped to Begonia. Here in Spain it's a common name among 30year olds.
Minerva/Mina?
I went to school with a Minette.
Hth and congratulations Thanks

handcream · 12/08/2013 16:12

I wanted Harriet too but we had a boy! Men dont seem keen on Harriet as a name...

squoosh · 12/08/2013 16:17

I love Mina and Tamara.

Not a fan of your other choices, especially Harriet.

GwendolineMaryLacey · 12/08/2013 16:20

Lovely, especially the one standing in front of me now Wink

Jenda · 12/08/2013 16:22

Lydia?

Keztrel · 12/08/2013 16:23

Love it. It's not try hard at all! And one of my best friends is called Harriet :) She gets called Harry and Hattie.

Supersesame · 12/08/2013 21:28

Thanks, great to have some opinions! Might be back with some more. Yes, my DH funny about Harriet too.

He has a thing with all girls names that shorten to boys names, whereas I think it would suit us, as I'm a very non-pink/frilly person so I would imagine my DD would be the same and think a unisex nickname would be fitting.
Who knows though, could end up being surrounded by it!

OP posts:
AcrylicPlexiglass · 12/08/2013 21:31

Harriet is a fantastic name. I know an absolutely amazing lovely Harriet.

I like Nina and Tamara as well from your list.

RiceorChips · 12/08/2013 22:26

Not a massive fan of Harriet, sorry.
Do like Gabriella and Melissa though.

Others you may like:
Imogen
Caitlin
Francesca
Tamsin
Zarah
Ruth
Lorna
Danielle
Carla / Cara / Cora
Bethan
Martha

Saffyz · 12/08/2013 22:32

I like Melissa and Constance best from your list. If you choose Harriet, either of those would be nice as a middle name.

formicadinosaur · 12/08/2013 22:44

Violet

LauraChant · 12/08/2013 22:45

I love Harriet. It makes me think of Dorothy Sayers' Harriet Vane.

everlong · 12/08/2013 23:07

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Nyla · 12/08/2013 23:15

Love Harriet. Depending on surname I think Harriet Lucia sounds ok. Lucia would be my second choice for first name on your list, love it.

josiejay · 12/08/2013 23:17

Love Harriet, especially with nn Hattie.

josiejay · 12/08/2013 23:18

Oh and also Robyn for the Christmas thing.

fatfinger · 12/08/2013 23:20

It's lovely, a proper name that passes the high-court judge test!

JustCallMeMaam · 12/08/2013 23:21

I have a Harriet, born last December :)

DD1 is Imogen - we thought Harriet went well with Imogen, so if you like it maybe this is also an option?

I tend to nn Hattie too Smile

barmybunting · 12/08/2013 23:29

I love Harriet, it is gorgeous! A strong name which can be as girly or not as you like.

My beloved Gran was Harriet, and I would love to use it as a first name. Sadly however, she absolutely hated her name so I don't feel I can use it. I love hearing it.

Lucia is also beautiful. How would you pronounce it though? I taught a little Lucia a few years ago, and a lot of people pronounced it differently.

kiwik · 13/08/2013 00:13

I really like Harriet. It's definitely in contention if one of these DC turns out to be a girl.
I also like Tamara and Lucia from your list.
However, I like Lucia pronounced Lu-chee-ah, rather than Lucy-ah, so am not putting it on my list for possible mispronunciation issues.

RonaldMcDonald · 13/08/2013 00:23

Harriet
Constance
Zoe

All very lovely

Supersesame · 13/08/2013 10:19

Yes, the Lucy-a/Luchee-a pronounciation could be a problem. Never thought of that.
I have a name that is constantly mispronounced and mis-spellt so really don't want to inflict that on my child.
I thought Tamara was a bit risky but glad to hear a few of you like it.
So I think, Harriet and Tamara are top of my list!

OP posts:
MoonHare · 13/08/2013 18:08

Harriet is a great name and the best of your ideas imo. It's strong and pretty at the same time.

Not keen on Tamara though, bit 80s New Romantic-esque for me. Not that I don't love a bit of Duran Duran just not in name form....

How about; Eleanor, Esther, Thea, Rosalind, Miranda.

SunnyIntervals · 13/08/2013 18:22

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